Syllabus Overview

The syllabus contains video lessons, downloads, and weekly transcription exercises posted in the PianoGroove Community Area.

Who Is This Syllabus For?

Students who are completely new to jazz piano improvisation

Students who want to learn how to transcribe licks, lines, and solos

Students who want to learn the key principles of jazz improvisation

Learning Path

Our 'Improvisation For Beginners' Syllabus will help you become a competent improviser. Fast.

Whist some improvisation concepts can be taught and explained, it's vitally important that we are regularly listening and transcribing from our favourite records. The theory lessons in this course will teach you the basic principles of jazz improvisation and the transcription lessons and exercises will equip you to learn directly from your favourite recordings.

1.

Chord Tone Soloing

Using the jazz blues form, we create improvised melodies using the primary chord tones which are 1, 3, 5, & 7. These tones play an important role in the construction of an improvised melody and connect our improvisations to the underlying harmony.

2.

Approach Patterns, Enclosures, & Chromaticism

This is when our improvisations start to sound really jazzy. After our study of chord tones we introduce the principles of approach patterns, enclosures, and chromaticism which are used to smoothly connect our improvised melodies.

3.

Transcription: The Key To Improvising

Regular listening & transcription is the most time-effective way to improve at improvisation. We cover the basics of transcription and how to analyse the melodies and solos of your favourite players. Also check out our weekly transcription exercises in the forum area.

4.

Triads & Non-Linear Improvisation

By focussing solely only on scales, we restrict our melodic and harmonic imagination to linear runs. By using triads we can open our ears to strong melodic possibilities that are not obvious when we improvise using scales.

5.

Modal Scales & Chord Scale Theory

Chords and scales share an intimate relationship. This relationship is known as Chord Scale Theory. Once we understand the importance of chord tones and triad shapes, we can then begin to experience the sophistication and allure of chord scales.

6.

Advanced Improvisation Concepts

Improvised music can be thought of as either resting; or heading towards something that is resting. Using this philosophy, we can simplify a number of harmonic concepts to free up our mind and imagination for improvised melodic creativity.

Courses

The Improvisation Syllabus contains 7 courses which should be studied in the following order:

4. Improvisation

5. Turnarounds & Performance

Your Teachers

Hayden Hill

Hayden is a jazz pianist and educator from Manchester, UK. He founded PianoGroove in 2015 with the goal of making the world a more musical place. Hayden shares his love for jazz piano through his online courses and manages the community area of PianoGroove.

Tuomo Uusitalo

Tuomo is an award-winning pianist, composer, arranger and educator. Having released two albums as a leader, he has established himself in the New York jazz scene and continues touring internationally both as a leader as well as sideman.

Robert Kennedy

Robert Kennedy is a Hammond organist, pianist, and accordionist born and raised in the American South who moved to the San Francisco bay area in 1988. He has released two jazz organ albums and plays jazz, blues, and rock regularly around San Francisco.

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